Black Friday tips to stay safe and avoid scams while shopping online

Published

10 months ago

November 24, 2023

admin

The threat of fraud and cyber scams is a 365-days-a-year problem when it comes to online shopping.

But just as the rate at which retailers hit you with promo emails scales up at this time of year, so too does the risk of falling foul of criminals trying to access your bank account.

According to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), shoppers lost more than £10m to cyber criminals over last year’s festive shopping period.

With Black Friday sales under way and Christmas on the horizon, Sky News enlisted some cybersecurity experts to offer advice on how best to stay safe and avoid scams this year.

Spotting a dodgy email

A favourite tactic of fraudsters is to draw you in with an email that looks remarkably legitimate, seemingly offering an exclusive deal at one of your favoured retailers.

It is, as Mike McLellan of Secureworks puts it, a “classic scenario we’d expect to see around Black Friday”.

An important thing to look out for is the domain name of the sender’s email address – is it a close match, but with something slightly off? Think @amaz0n.co.uk, for example.

“On smartphones, that kind of detail is usually hidden,” advises Mr McLellan. “So tap on it and check where the email has come from.”

You should also keep an eye out for misspellings and odd formatting.

However, the NCSC has warned that criminals are likely to use increasingly accessible AI tools to produce even more convincing scam emails, websites, and adverts than usual.

If you’re at all unsure, it’s good practice to go to the website directly, rather than click on any links in the email.

Fake websites

Some scams may direct you to a retailer’s login page to enter your account information.

It could look perfectly normal, and you go ahead and pop in your username and password, while in the background, criminals capture that information and use it themselves.

Chris Bluvshtein, of VPNOverview, says: “Every website should have a valid security certificate, and you can tell by the little padlock icon next to the URL.

“If a website doesn’t have one of these, then don’t give your bank details or valuable information.”

These can be some of the hardest scams to notice yourself, but banks have become very good at alerting you to “unusual logins” and flagging any subsequent dodgy transactions.

“If you suspect something bad has happened, consider changing your password,” Mr McLellan says. “And checking your bank activity.”

Text message scams

Another classic of the Black Friday scam genre is a text message suggesting you have a parcel waiting with DHL, Royal Mail, or some other delivery provider.

“Quite often you will be expecting something when you get these texts – but again keep an eye out for anything that doesn’t look normal,” says Mr McLellan.

A good indicator that something is amiss is if the text asks you for payment and includes a bit.ly link.

You should not click on these.

The rise of ‘Qishing’

An emerging threat over the past year is an extension of phishing using QR codes.

Secureworks has dubbed it “Qishing”, when criminals use them to direct unsuspecting consumers to fraudulent websites that could steal their personal information.

Director of threat intelligence, Rafe Pilling, says: “We’re so used to seeing ‘scan this code’ to register, view a menu, order drinks or food to a table, or even enter competitions via the big screen at events stadiums, that consumers are thinking less about what they’re actually scanning.

“As the hype around holidays like Black Friday drives more urgency in consumer actions, we can expect to see more cyber criminals taking advantage with Qishing.”

Password managers and mobile payments

Modern smartphones and web browsers offer some useful baked-in features to help you stay safe.

Both have password managers and generators, which will come up with randomised options for you to lock your accounts and then store those behind a master password – or even biometrics like facial or fingerprint recognition.

Consider multifactor authentication as well, says Mr McLellan, for an extra layer of security.

Apple and Google Pay are good payment options if the retailer accepts them, as they protect your bank details.

“It’s best to use them instead of your debit card,” says Mr Bluvshtein.

Avoid shopping on public networks

Black Friday promotions will often try to entice you with limited time deals, alerting you to them via an app notification, text message or email.

If one arrives while you’re out and about, it could be tempting to jump straight to it.

But shopping on public wi-fi networks, like those you might find at railway stations and on trains, is a bad idea, according to Mr Bluvshtein.

“Public wi-fi rarely has safety protocols such as passwords in place, and hackers can piggyback and steal unsecured banking details and sensitive information without you knowing,” he says.

What to do if you suspect you’ve been scammed

Even with the best will in the world, there may come a moment where you suspect the worst.

But try not to fret – there are steps you can take to limit the damage, or prevent any from occurring at all.

“Keep an eye on bank accounts and if you see anything unusual, get in touch with them,” says Mr McLellan.

“Banks have got very robust fraud controls these days – and that’s why it’s best to use credit cards if possible.

“If you think any of your online accounts have been compromised, change the password, and try not to reuse them across different retailers.

“We do recognise that some of these have a technical bar to them, but if nothing else, at least keep an eye on what’s happening and be vigilant about your online activity.”

UK

Former deputy PM Oliver Dowden interviewed in election day betting probe

Published

1 hour ago

September 29, 2024

admin

Former deputy PM Oliver Dowden interviewed in election day betting probe

Former deputy prime minister Sir Oliver Dowden has become the most senior ally of Rishi Sunak to be interviewed in the official investigation into betting on the date of the general election, Sky News understands.

He follows Mr Sunak’s former parliamentary aide Craig Williams and former Downing Street chief of staff Liam Booth-Smith in being questioned by the Gambling Commission, the statutory body that regulates betting in the UK.

Mr Sunak has not yet been interviewed, Sky News understands, though “numerous people” including Conservative Party officials have been.

Tory conference latest: Maternity pay is ‘excessive’, Badenoch argues

A source close to Sir Oliver said the former senior cabinet minister is not and was never under investigation himself.

It is understood Sir Oliver spoke to the police to assist with their inquiries as part of their investigation into others. This is said to have taken place in early summertime and the officers involved were part of the Gambling Commission.

The inquiry – launched in June – is set to continue for another three to six months.

News of Sir Oliver’s interview, along with the seizing of “hundreds of documents” from Tory HQ by the commission, has emerged on the day the Conservative Party Conference opened in Birmingham.

Ironically, the Gambling Commission’s head office, on the fourth floor of Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, is just a half-mile, 10-minute walk from the ICC, where the Tory conference is taking place.

Sir Oliver was knighted and Mr Booth-Smith was awarded a peerage in the former prime minister’s dissolution honours, announced less than an hour before the polls closed on 4 July.

The commission is investigating whether bets were placed on a July election by people with inside knowledge – in breach of gambling rules – in the days leading up to Mr Sunak’s shock announcement of the election date on 22 May.

A source told Sky News: “The general election betting investigation is still ongoing. Hundreds of documents have been seized by the Gambling Commission from CCHQ.

“The Gambling Commission has also employed more ex-police as investigators to take the case forward. It’s expected the case will continue for three to six months.”

Asked if Mr Sunak has been interviewed, the source said: “I don’t believe so. Numerous people have been interviewed, in and out of CCHQ.

“Gambling Commission investigators have made numerous visits to CCHQ. Oliver Dowden was interviewed.”

What is the election betting scandal?

The election date betting scandal began in June when Craig Williams, formerly MP for Montgomeryshire and Mr Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary, admitted he was being investigated by the Gambling Commission.

Mr Williams had placed a £100 bet on a July election at Ladbrokes in his constituency just days before Mr Sunak announced on 22 May that the election would be held on 4 July. Based on odds at the time, he would have won £500.

“I put a flutter on the General Election some weeks ago,” he said in a post on X on 13 June. “This has resulted in some routine inquiries and I confirm I will fully co-operate with these.

“I don’t want it to be a distraction from the campaign. I should have thought through how it looks.”

Mr Williams, who admitted he had made a “huge error”, was dropped by the Tories as their candidate in the new seat of Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr but remained on the ballot paper, but was defeated, coming third behind Labour and Reform UK.

As the Gambling Commission proceeded, Tony Lee, the party’s director of campaigns, and his wife Laura Saunders, who was Tory candidate for Bristol North West, were placed under investigation.

In a statement on the day news of the investigation was first reported, Saunders said she would be “cooperating with the Gambling Commission”, while Lee took a leave of absence from his role.

Then Nick Mason, the party’s chief data officer, became the fourth Conservative candidate or official to be investigated. He took a leave of absence and denied any wrongdoing.

In a bizarre twist, a Labour candidate in the election, Kevin Craig, was then suspended by his party after betting against himself and the Gambling Commission launched an investigation into him.

Mr Craig, candidate in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, posted on X that he had “enjoyed the odd bet for fun” throughout his life.

“A few weeks ago when I thought I would never win this seat I put a bet on the Tories to win here with the intention of giving any winnings to local charities,” he said.

“While I did not place this bet with any prior knowledge of the outcome, this was a huge mistake, for which I apologise unreservedly.”

Then on 27 June Sky News revealed that Mr Booth-Smith, then Mr Sunak’s most senior adviser in Downing Street, had been interviewed by senior Gambling Commission officials and questioned about who knew about the timing of the election.

Sources emphasised, however, that Mr Booth-Smith was not a suspect and was interviewed as a witness and was “asked for help”.

Sky News has approached Mr Dowden and the Conservative Party for comment.

UK

UK weather: Met Office issues fresh heavy rain warnings

Published

1 hour ago

September 29, 2024

admin

UK weather: Met Office issues fresh heavy rain warnings

Fresh weather warnings have been issued for heavy rain, with some areas already saturated by earlier downpours to be hit.

Parts of the country saw more than the monthly average rainfall on Monday, while some counties in southern and central England have already had more than 250% of their September average, according to the Met Office.

Yellow weather warnings for wind and rain came into force on Sunday, while two fresh yellow warnings have been issued for heavy rain next week.

Sunday’s warning, meaning further heavy rain is likely to cause some travel delays and flooding, covers much of southern England and South Wales between 4pm on Sunday and 9am on Monday.

Between 20mm to 30mm of rainfall could be seen over nine to 12 hours, with up to 80mm in some localised places on higher ground.

The Environment Agency has issued 33 flood warnings, indicating flooding is expected, and 67 flood alerts, where flooding is possible, in place across England on Sunday afternoon.

Mark Garratt, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said rain expected on Sunday and Monday will bring a risk of surface water flooding in large parts of the southwest and southern England, spreading up into the Midlands, and on Monday, flooding in parts of Leicestershire is also possible.

He said: “It is especially important that people do not drive through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

“Across the country, Environment Agency teams have been out checking flood defences and clearing any debris from storm drains and are also supporting local authorities in responding to surface water flooding.

“The advice to the public to keep checking their flood risk, and search ‘check for flooding’ and to sign up for free flood warnings on the latest situation or follow @EnvAgency on X for the latest flood updates.”

Check latest weather forecast where you are

A yellow warning for wind is in place across southwest England and Wales between 9am on Sunday until the end of the day.

Gusts of between 50mph and 60mph could be seen, with large waves, trees brought down, travel disruption and some power cuts.

Fresh rain warnings issued

Rain warnings cover eastern England between 8am on Monday and 3am on Tuesday, and North Wales and northwest England between 12.30am and 8pm on Monday.

Both forecast between 20mm and 40mm of rainfall widely, with 60mm possible in a few places across North Wales and northwest England and between 60mm to 80mm in some areas in eastern England.

Met Office meteorologist Liam Eslick said they are expecting some “pretty heavy persistent rain” across North Wales and northwest England.

The higher ground in eastern England will see the most rainfall. Areas including Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire will see less rainfall, but are already saturated by recent heavy rain.

It comes after areas across England suffered heavy rain and localised flooding in recent days, with commuters facing widespread disruption on road and rail services.

About 650 properties were flooded in Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and the home counties, according to the Environment Agency, which estimated around 8,200 properties had been protected.

By Tuesday night, higher pressure will move in, meaning a drier, sunnier spell, Mr Eslick said.

“Come Tuesday night into Wednesday we’re starting to see higher pressure, so turning a lot drier and plenty of sunny spells,” he said.

“But the following weekend, it does look like there’s a further low pressure coming in, but we’re still keeping an eye on that.”

UK

Lewis Hamilton opens up about mental health struggles

Published

1 hour ago

September 29, 2024

admin

Lewis Hamilton opens up about mental health struggles

Lewis Hamilton has said he has struggled with his mental health “for much of his life”, and blames the pressure of motor racing and bullying that he suffered at school.

Hamilton, 39, is one of the most successful Formula One (F1) drivers in history, having won a joint-record seven world titles.

The racer, who was born in Stevenage, has won more F1 races (105) than anyone else and also holds the records for most pole positions (104), and podium (top three) finishes (201).

But despite his career successes, he told The Sunday Times he had “some really difficult phases” during his 20s, admitting he has “struggled with mental health through my life”.

“[I’ve had] depression. From a very early age, when I was, like, 13. I think it was the pressure of the racing and struggling at school. The bullying. I had no one to talk to,” he said.

His life changed, he revealed, during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, when, following a period of soul-searching, he began waking up at 5am to meditate before going for a run.

Despite initially struggling to find peace, he said the new routine was “a really great way of getting in touch with myself, my inner feelings, understanding what I can do”.

Asked if he has ever seen a therapist, Hamilton replied: “I spoke to one woman, years ago, but that wasn’t really helpful. I would like to find someone today.”

Hamilton, who earlier this season became the oldest driver to win a Formula One race in the 21st century, will not add to his tally of championship titles this year.

With six races remaining, the Mercedes driver is sixth in the standings but trails the championship leader, Max Verstappen, by 157 points with only 150 left to win.

He will move to Ferrari at the end of this season after 12 years with Mercedes.